Monday’s Headlines Are On a Highway to Hell
Literally. As the world burns, states are taking federal infrastructure dollars earmarked for climate change and using them to build roads instead.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EDT on July 31, 2023
- Thirty-eight states have siphoned off a total of $755 million for climate change under the federal infrastructure package and are spending it on highway construction instead. (Washington Post)
- The New York Times wrote about the dangers of e-bikes, but most of the crashes it describes involved young cyclists getting hit by cars on busy roads.
- A fired Tesla employee is blowing the whistle on the company’s dangerous “full self-driving” mode. (Jalopnik)
- Run-down stations, filthy motels and camaraderie among passengers: A Guardian writer traverses the U.S. via Greyhound.
- As D.C. Metro GM Randy Clarke enters his second year, he’s turning his attention from a train-car shortage and a derailment probe to a looming $750 million shortfall and potential service cuts. (Post)
- Georgia legislators are reluctant to let the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority mount cameras on buses to enforce its new bus only-lanes. (AJC)
- Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has again changed his mind on a location for a planned Denny Triangle light rail station. (The Urbanist)
- Milwaukee County approved a sales tax hike, part of which will go toward transit. (Wis Politics)
- Crashes took a nosedive after Madison started its Vision Zero program three years ago, but traffic deaths have risen. (Wisconsin State Journal)
- Uber settled with a San Francisco cyclist who said he was doored by one of its drivers. (Bloomberg)
- Charlotte is reopening East Independence Boulevard bus lanes that have been closed for construction since 2017. (WCNC)
- Elderly and disabled residents of L.A.’s Palms neighborhood say the sidewalks are so bad they’re forced to drive one block to doctor’s appointments. (CBS News)
- Boston’s Bluebikes bike-share is adding new stations. (Globe)
- Fresno is adding protected bike lanes on Palm and Belmont avenues. (Bee)
- California parking scofflaws, rejoice: A California court ruled that San Francisco can’t tow your car for unpaid tickets. (CBS News)
- A Toronto driver just abandoned his car in the middle of a streetcar lane. (blogTO)
Blake Aued has been doing Streetsblog's daily national news digest for years. He's also an Atlanta Braves fan, which enrages his editor in New York.
Read More:
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday’s Headlines Do Things Backwards
The best cities have street grids with small blocks, but in recent decades cities have ceded the important responsibility of designing streets to private developers.
October 2, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: Architecture’s Role in Population Decline
Good design is great, but if you can't afford it, you can't have babies. A very special edition of the podcast.
October 1, 2026
Steal This Idea: ‘Emergency Streets’ Strategy Gets First Real-World Pilot
The city of Spokane moved quickly to close a lane at the site where an 18-year-old motorcyclist died in a single-vehicle collision just a few days prior.
October 1, 2026
How to Use the ‘Emergency Streets’ Strategy to Move From ‘Crash Response’ to System Change
A deeper look at the inner workings of the 'Emergency Streets' process, and how it could lead to lasting change.
October 1, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Pollute the Air and Pay for the Privilege
President Trump wants to accelerate climate change and force motorists to spend more on gas all at the same time.
October 1, 2026